Downloading the BCS

Locate the Download

bcs_setup.exe will auto-download to the Downloads folder.

Double-click the executable to run the installer.

Locate the Download

The installation file is downloading to your Downloads folder. Open the Downloads folder in Finder.

Download Started

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The download should either start automatically or offer you the chance to save or run the file. Once complete, proceed to installation below.

For more help, visit the support page.

Install on Windows

Click Next on the first page, then accept the license agreement on the second page.

The installer will show an option to install the BCS as a Windows service. If you are running as administrator, this checkbox will be available — check it to have the BCS run automatically in the background.

If the checkbox is greyed out, you are not running as administrator. The installer will place thebcs.exe on your Desktop instead, which you can double-click to run the BCS manually.

The remaining pages allow you to choose an installation directory. Once the install is complete, close the installer. The BCS is now ready to use.

✓

That's it! You should now be able to run a Visualware connection test from any browser at any time.

Install on Mac (Service)

Double-click the DMG file. This should pop up another dialog containing a PKG installer.

Double-click the PKG file to open the installation wizard. After clicking the Continue button on the first page click the Install button to begin the installation.

Typically, at this stage, a password will be required. Enter it or use the touchpad to verify biometrics.

Once the installation has completed, click Close.

✓

That's it! To ensure the BCS installed correctly, run the connectivity test.

Run the BCS App

The BCS App is a standalone application — no installer is required.

Open your Downloads folder and double-click MacBCS.app.zip to extract it. macOS will unzip it automatically, creating MacBCS.app.

Double-click MacBCS.app to launch the BCS.

macOS Gatekeeper may display a warning since the app was downloaded from the internet. Click Open to proceed. If you only see a Move to Bin option, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security, scroll down and click Open Anyway.

If prompted to allow incoming network connections, click Allow.

The BCS is now running in the menu bar. Return to your browser and run a test.

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Tip: Drag MacBCS.app to your Applications folder for easy access in the future.

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Note: The BCS App runs as a foreground application. If you quit it, testing will stop. For always-on background operation, use the Mac Installer instead.

Extract and run the BCS

The Linux BCS is distributed as a tar archive. Extract it and run the executable.

Open a terminal and navigate to your downloads directory:

Terminal

cd ~/Downloads

Extract the archive:

Terminal

tar -xf bcs_linux.tar

Make the BCS executable and run it:

Terminal

chmod +x ./thebcs
./thebcs

The BCS is now running. Return to your browser and run a test.

⚠️

Firewall: If your system uses ufw or firewalld, ensure the BCS port (default 7681) is open for inbound connections.

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Note: The BCS App runs in the foreground. For background/service operation, see the Linux service installation guide.

Download Started

Your Linux download is in progress. For installation help, see the Linux install guide.

Locate the Download

Locate the Download

Download Started

Install on Windows

Install on Mac (Service)

Your download has started

Run the BCS App

Your download has started

Run the BCS App

Your download has started

Extract and run the BCS

Download Started